Thanks guys for the compliments. The paddle is only 36" long, so it is more for looking at than actually paddling. The chair is too wide to paddle but it is comfortable.
Every time I do something different it turns into a major event or effort. Bending the strips required several attempts, mainly because I did not have my steam box. I also had to use a jig to form them and keep them compressed while gluing.
I doubt if it is the first paddle to have the strips wrap around the blade. I have not seen another, but one thing is for sure, it is different from most segmented ones. From a practicable stand point it is not worth the trouble but I like it.